Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  A great vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Charlotte - December 9 - 12:53 am

  Ive only owned my Pacifica for a month, but its a joy to drive. After driving a Jeep Cherokee for several years, the ride, handling and comfort of the Pacifica are excellent. After being injured in a side-impact taxi accident last October, its also reassuring to drive the Pacifica with its 5 star crash ratings. The rear area provides plenty of space for my 2 dogs in their crates.

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  Black beast - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By stevenik - December 8 - 3:00 pm

  I was gonna purchase a 5.7L300C which I thought was great during test drive. decided to up to the SRT8,,Im so glad I did. I love this car !! Braking will change your hair do, acceleration next to a so called sports car at a stoplight will have you smiling for miles while looking in the rear view. Bad side, gas miles, brake dust, front spoiler is sooo low, I know Im gonna break it sooner or later. tranny is alittle rough from 1st to 2cnd. Small prices to pay for this much fun. Ive done 140 in this car effortlessly.

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  noise - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Joleen Breitbach - December 8 - 7:33 am

  Bad Noise when back windows are down partway and front windows are up. Creates a noise loud enough to break your eardrums. Almost had an accident on highway. Thought I blew a tire.

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  My Second PT - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT Cruiser - December 7 - 4:03 pm

  This is the second PT Cruiser I have purchased. Had my first one for four years and just wanted to update. It is a reliable and fun car. I get good performance from the PT. It is easy for seniors to get in and out because it is a bit higher and our folks like to ride in my car. Seats 4 adults comfortably and can have 5 if younger children in back. There is enough leg room in both front and back. Good trunk space. Great for tailgating/picnics - having the table in the trunk area.

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  Zero traction on snow. - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Chris Keser - December 7 - 1:03 am

  Great car styling and ride as well as other features, but absolutely HORRIBLE on even the slightest amount of snow, even with after market snow tires on all fours. Truly DANGEROUS. Rear wheel drive is a big mistake if using the car in areas of snow accumulation. Traction control seems to be no help at all even on a 1/4 inch of fresh snow. Rear wheels just spin.

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  Nice Automobile - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Gerard AuBuchon - December 6 - 10:00 am

  This was a gift to my wife on her retirement. It is an "extra" car. Love it so far, except blind spots when backing with the top up. Probably not something you can get with most convertibles. Very pleased.

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  My 1st Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By LesPikit - December 6 - 10:00 am

  I think Chrysler has raised the bar & hit on a great design that turns heads, offers enough power with the Hemi and packed in all the creature comforts one could possibly need. Im only into the 1st 3500 miles, but Im still looking for excuses to drive it somewhere.

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  Love my 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Dale - December 2 - 11:06 am

  Ive owned chryslers for 30 years, and this is the best ever. I traded in my Dodge RT Durango, which I loved, except I only got 9mpg. I get over 20 mpg on highway in my 300. This is the best buy on the market there is. Co- worker has 75000$ bmw 7-series, and I would take my chrysler 300 straight up.

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  Great Minivan - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tommy - November 30 - 8:30 pm

  Had a Town & Country, this is so much better. It is so much easier to get in and out of. We just got back from a 500 mile trip and it rode great, wind noise was non existent. It also does not look like a minivan, they did a great job on styling inside and out. The only complaint I have is that the radio is always on. There is a mute button to silence it, however when you restart the vehicle the radio will blast you out unless you turned the volume down before turning off the van. They say it is just the type of radio, seems stupid too me.

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  Style and Fun - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Woody Mills - November 30 - 1:43 pm

  The Pacifica is stylish and fun to drive. With the onboard nav. system, at a glance of the speedometer cluster you can see the map without looking toward the center radio location as on most models. With fuel prices soaring, the average I get around town is about 20, and on a trip 28. There is power if I need it and economy too.